Mobile wireless internet portable radio

ABSTRACT

An Internet-capable radio has a communication port for connection to a modem, a connection function for connecting to the Internet upon user initiation while connected to the modem, sound circuitry for rendering audio data packets received over the Internet as analog audio output, and for delivering the audio output to one or more speaker ports, two or more stored hyperlinks addressing Internet broadcast servers; and a user input adapted to enable a user to select among the stored hyperlinks. Selection of one of the stored hyperlinks by the user input invokes the hyperlink and connects the radio to the server addressed by the hyperlink, initiating thereby an audio data stream as data packets from the broadcast server to the radio, and wherein the radio renders the data stream as analog audio data delivered to the one or more speaker ports. The user input in preferred embodiments has a plurality of pushbuttons associated with hyperlinks, which can be asserted by activating a pushbutton. In some embodiments a directory server is used for editing user profiles and programming connected Internet-capable radios.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED DOCUMENTS B

The present application is a divisional continuation of application Ser.No. 09/182,950, Oct. 29, 1998 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,314,094 which isincorporated herein in its entirety by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is in the field of apparatus for receivingInternet Multimedia broadcasts including live broadcast audio andpertains more particularly to methods and apparatus for receiving andenabling wireless Internet radio for automobiles and mobile standalonedevices.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The World Wide Web (WWW), known as a subset of the well-known Internetis, at the time of this writing, the most accessible worldwide publicinformation network. By accessing the Internet via a personal computeror other Internet-capable computerized appliance, one may obtainknowledge from virtually any network-connected source on Earth.Businesses, cultural centers, libraries, governments, cities, states,and private individuals maintain information pages, termed WEB pages inthe art, that are stored on computers (file servers) that are adaptedand dedicated to delivering such pages on request.

These WEB pages are typically written in hypertext mark-up language(HTML) and contain various forms of embedded interactive links, termedhyper-links in the art, created by authors using special software toolsadapted for providing such content. Hyper-links are typically gatewaysto other parts of the page accessed another page on the same server, ora page on another server. From such a server one may download muchinformation, including software and in some cases other multimediacontent, to an Internet connected computer or appliance.

Among the types of media content one may find and access when browsingWEB pages, live audio and video is one of the most recently developed.Through the use of a browser (navigator) and additional software of theform of a multimedia player installed on one's PC or appliance, one mayplay audio, video, or a combination of the two while connected on-lineand visiting a hosted WEB page. Connection to such broadcast servers, asthey are termed in the art, typically result from interaction with anembedded hyper-link in the form of a graphic icon somewhere on a hostedWEB page, typically by means of a computer's pointer device.

Recently, traditional broadcast entities such as news, radio, sportsnetworks, and the like have engaged in maintaining WEB pages wherein 24hour live-streaming audio and video of real-time broadcasts and the likeis made available to the general public through hyper-links to broadcastservers. By clicking on a provided hyper-link, one may connect to aserver and monitor a particular offered broadcast if the user has anappropriate player for playing the downloaded stream.

While video portions of such live Internet broadcasts generally leavemuch to be desired in terms of quality due to (at the time of thisapplication) limited bandwidth, audio streams can be heard with adequatequality on most personal computers operating standard modems and havingstandard line connection to the Internet. Of course, available bandwidthplays a major roll in both audio and video quality over a data-packetnetwork such as the Internet. Other factors effecting quality of serviceinclude compression techniques, modem speeds, and so on. In current art,anyone with a 28.8 modem and standard Internet connection may listen tobroadcast audio with adequate quality and minimum dropout in mostinstances.

One of the more notable developments in audio broadcasting over theInternet involves public and private radio station participation aspreviously described. For example, currently there are a variety ofradio stations around the world that provide 24 hour broadcastingaccessible from the Internet. Moreover, a growing number ofInternet-only broadcasters are emerging. Before live broadcasting(streaming) of Internet multimedia, interaction with multimedia contentwas virtually limited to pre-stored feeds of audio and audio/videocontent such as interviews, news clips and short music clips.

In light of the above-described technological advances that have beenachieved in live broadcast capability over the Internet, wherein anyuser with a PC and an Internet connection may participate, it isdesirable to provide a means whereby mobile users such as a commuter inan automobile may access live Internet broadcasts from inside theautomobile via a wireless connection without having to have an expensivemulti-purpose PC to gain access.

With regards to PC and Internet capability from automobiles, users areconventionally limited to laptop computers for full multimedia access.Some companies provide Internet access from palm-top computers andcellular phones however the use is typically limited to accessinge-mails, networking with business associates (IP telephony) or the like.Some companies provide Internet access through a wireless PC for thepurpose of providing map information for lost or stranded motorists,however such systems are dedicated only for that subscribed service andare limited to providing pre-stored information.

What is clearly needed is a dedicated mobile radio-receiving device thatmay be installed and operated from within a vehicle, and that can beused in conjunction with existing and future wireless Internettechnologies whereby a motorist or other mobile user may maintain awireless Internet connection via the device for the purpose of therecreational enjoyment of live audio broadcasting of national and/orinternational scope while driving. Such a system and apparatus wouldbroaden the scope of radio advertising and broadcasting, increase localknowledge of international world events and culture, and thereby promotean international community awareness. Moreover, in the more diverseworld we live in, where people spend more and more time in parts of theworld distant from home, such world travelers can listen to radiostations based at home.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention An Internet-capableradio is provided, comprising a communication port for connection to amodem; a connection function for connecting to the Internet upon userinitiation while connected to the modem; sound circuitry for renderingaudio data packets received over the Internet as analog audio output,and for delivering the audio output to one or more speaker ports; two ormore stored hyperlinks addressing Internet broadcast servers; and a userinput adapted to enable a user to select among the stored hyperlinks.With the Internet-capable radio connected by the communication port tothe Internet, selection of one of the stored hyperlinks by the userinput invokes the hyperlink and connects the radio to the serveraddressed by the hyperlink, initiating thereby an audio data stream asdata packets from the broadcast server to the radio, and wherein theradio renders the data stream as analog audio data delivered to the oneor more speaker ports.

In the Internet-capable radio the modem may be a wireless modem, and theInternet-capable radio connects to the Internet of a wireless datapacket network. The radio may further comprise a display adapted to listhyperlinks and highlight a single hyperlink, wherein the user inputcomprises a button adapted to invoke the hyperlink highlighted.

In some embodiments the radio is programmed to access a specificdirectory server upon connection to the Internet, and to download apredetermined list of hyperlinks to Internet broadcast servers from thedirectory server. In other embodiments hyperlinks may be programmedthrough a user interface to the radio, manually, or through such as aserial port. The user input can be a plurality of pushbuttons, eachpushbutton associated with a specific hyperlink, wherein activation of apushbutton invokes the stored hyperlink.

In another aspect an Internet radio system is provided, comprising anInternet-connected directory server; and an Internet-capable radiocomprising a communication port for connection to a modem, a connectionfunction for connecting to the Internet upon user initiation whileconnected to the modem, sound circuitry for rendering audio data packetsreceived over the Internet as analog audio output, and for deliveringthe audio output to one or more speaker ports, two or more storedhyperlinks addressing Internet broadcast servers, and a user inputadapted to enable a user to select among stored hyperlinks and to invokea selected hyperlink. In this system the Internet-capable radio connectsto the directory server, the directory server provides hyperlinks to theInternet-capable radio, and upon assertion of a hyperlink theInternet-capable radio connects to the broadcast server associated withthe asserted hyperlink, and downloads and plays the audio streamprovided by the broadcast server.

In one embodiment of the system the Internet-capable radio comprises adisplay adapted for listing hyperlinks provided by the directory server,and the user input is operable for selecting and asserting individualones of the hyperlinks displayed. The user input may comprise aplurality of pushbuttons and the directory server provides hyperlinksassociated one-to-one with the plurality of pushbuttons.

In some embodiments as well the directory server stores a profile forindividual users, the profiles editable by a user connected to theserver on the Internet, and wherein profiles are automaticallydownloaded to a user's Internet-capable radio upon connection of theradio to the directory server. In other embodiments the directory serveris coupled to a telephony call-in center, wherein a user may edithis/her profile by calling an agent at the call-in center, who in turnupdates the user's profile on the directory server. In still otherembodiments the directory server is coupled to a telephony interactivevoice response (IVR) system, which interacts with a user by telephone toupdate a user's profile.

The Internet-capable radio and support systems for the radio provide newbreadth to the art of Internet radio, by providing simple-to-use,relatively inexpensive Internet radios and systems.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES

FIG. 1 is an overview of an Internet-connected wirelessmobile-radio-broadcast system according to an embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an Internet-capable radio deviceaccording to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating internal circuitry of theInternet radio device of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating software capability of theInternet radio device of FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is process flow diagram illustrating logical user steps foraccessing live Internet radio according to an embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart illustrating programming steps used with theInternet radio device of FIG. 2.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a wireless Internetservice including a delivery system and an innovative mobile deviceadapted for receiving Internet broadcasts is provided and dedicated toproviding mobile listeners with a capability to listen to live Internetbroadcasts.

FIG. 1 is an overview of an Internet-connected wirelessmobile-radio-broadcast system according to an embodiment of the presentinvention. A wireless Internet broadcast service 11 is provided andadapted to allow users having an innovative Internet radio device (notshown here but detailed in figures to follow) to connect to the Internetvia wireless modem for the purpose of receiving broadcast audio contentover a wireless network such as a wireless cellular system. Servicesystem 11 comprises Internet network 13 and overlappingwireless-broadcast regions 15 and 17.

Service system 11 may be of the form of an Internet service using awireless delivery system to which one may subscribe in order to receiveaudio broadcasts via the Internet and wireless link from radio stationsaround the world as well as other audio broadcasts from Internet-basedsources. Access to service system 11 is, in a preferred embodiment,achieved via a unique computerized device termed an Internet radio bythe inventor because of its dedicated nature. Such a device is not shownhere but may be assumed to be present and installed in truck 41, and isdescribed in enabling detail below. This Internet radio device isdedicated to establishing and maintaining a wireless Internet connectionand receiving data packets via the wireless connection. More detailregarding this mobile Internet-radio device is provided below.

Internet 13 has connected therein in this embodiment a directory server23 adapted for storing hyper-links to Internet-connected radio-broadcastservers such as broadcast servers 19 and 21, and to providing access tosuch broadcast servers upon request. Broadcast servers 19 and 21 aremaintained by broadcast radio stations and the like and are adapted todelivering live audio over the Internet, the audio streams deliveredtypically mirroring the audio broadcast programming the same stationsprovide by RF multicast. Radio stations comprising music, news, talk,sports and other formats as well as Internet-based broadcasting entitiesmay provide and maintain such connected broadcast servers as servers 19and 21.

As previously described, service system 11 may use any known wirelessdelivery system for delivering content to a mobile user such as user 41(illustrated as a truck having an Internet radio device installedtherein). In a preferred embodiment, a well-known cellular serviceoperating under well-known protocols such as cellular digital datapacket (CDDP), and advanced cellular mobile services (ACMS) is usedbecause of convenience and already-existing infrastructure. However, inother embodiments, other known wireless delivery systems may be utilizedsuch as electromagnetic spectrum technology or microwave technology. Inan alternative embodiment a proprietary wireless network dedicatedsolely to the purpose of the present invention may also be established.Regions 15 and 17 represent overlapping areas of wireless service suchas are known with cellular technology broadcast from distributedstations. The only requirement for a delivery service in the presentinvention is that the service supports Transfer ControlProtocol/Internet protocol TCP/IP (well known Internet transmissionprotocol), or other known Internet transmission protocols.

Region 15 comprises a network access point (NAP) 29 connected toInternet 13 via a connection line 25, and a customer access point (CAP)33 which is capable of wireless two-way communication with NAP 29 via a(typically) satellite sending and receiving unit 37. User 41, having anInternet radio device according to an embodiment of the presentinvention, maintains Internet connection through CAP 33 while in thebroadcast region of CAP 33. It will be apparent to one with skill in theart that there will be more than one CAP such as CAP 33 strategicallydistributed throughout a region such as region 15 than is illustratedherein. The inventor has chosen to illustrate only one such CAP 33 anddeems it sufficient for the purpose of adequately explaining the presentinvention. In actual practice, as is known in the art of cellularservice, the number of CAP's such as CAP 33 will define the geographicsize of a region, such as region 15 or region 17. Also well known in theart is the fact that individual regions of coverage of each CAP overlapto provide the extent of the region.

Region 17 comprises components like those illustrated in region 15,namely, a NAP 31 connected to Internet 13 via a connection line 27, andCAPs 35 capable of wireless two-way communication via a (typically)satellite sending and receiving unit 39. Region 17 and region 15 areillustrated as overlapping as is consistent with known cellular serviceregions. In this embodiment, user 41 may leave one region such as region15 and enter a second region such as region 17 without losing Internetconnectivity via known service-connection transfer methods formaintaining connection to a “roaming” mobile user. Connection lines 25and 27 may be of the form of optical digital carriers, or otherwell-known data-connection lines.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, user 41 subscribesto a wireless service dedicated to maintaining open Internet connectionsat NAP's such as NAP 31 of region 17. Such a service would use channelsdedicated for Internet radios such as one presumed to be installed inthe truck driven by user 41. Such channels would not typically be usedfor telephony or other Internet interaction so those Internet radiodevices may be kept economical, compact and dedicated. Internetconnectivity is achieved via wireless modem as is known in the art fortraditional computers such as laptop or palmtop computers. Thearchitecture and components of the previously mentioned Internet-radiodevice will be provided in enabling disclosure below.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an Internet-radio device 43 according toan embodiment of the present invention. Device 43 is provided andadapted for the purpose of establishing and maintaining awireless-mobile Internet connection for downloading live audio fromvarious Internet-connected broadcast servers such as servers 19 and 21of FIG. 1. Internet-radio 43 comprises housing 45 and acontrol-interface structure 47. Housing body 45 is of size and shape toallow for traditional in-dash mounting as is done with AM/FM RF in-dashradios. Control interface 47 comprises various user-accessible controlsand is made to be accessible to the user in the same manner as aconventional in-dash radio. In alternative embodiments other mountingtechniques may be employed such as above or below-dash mounting.

Internet radio 43 in this embodiment has a suitable display window 53,adapted to providing the user a view of the time and date as well asother information such as displayed radio stations and the like. Displaywindow 53 may be a liquid crystal display (LCD), or another known typeof display window. A scroll-up/scroll-down button 60 is provided andadapted for controlling a highlighter bar 55 that may be manipulated upor down to highlight selected stations that may be displayed in displaywindow 53. Three representative radio stations are shown as displayedand viewable in window 53. These are for example purposes only, XXXXsports, XXXX talk, and XXXX news. The addresses of these and otheraudio-broadcast sources offering both live and/or stored content areaccessible from an Internet directory server such as server 23 of FIG. 1through Internet connection as previously described. As displayed, therepresentative radio stations just described are actually hyper-links tobroadcast servers such as servers 19 and 21 of FIG. 1.

A wireless modem 49 is provided and configured for Internet access overa wireless network as previously described. In this example, modem 49 isillustrated as built conveniently into Internet radio 43. However, modem49 may be a separate unit mounted at a convenient location within avehicle. Modem 49 may, in one embodiment, be activated as soon as a userstarts his or her vehicle and power is supplied to Internet radio 43.However in this particular embodiment, a connect button 61 is providedand adapted to activate modem 49 for the purpose of establishing anInternet connection as is known in the art.

A directory button 59 is provided and adapted to initiate contact with adirectory server, upon user initiation, which lists availableradio-links, such as server 23 of FIG. 1. In a preferred embodiment,connection to a directory server such as server 23 of FIG. 1 would beautomatic after establishing an Internet connection. In alternativeembodiments a directory server is not required, and a user may programaddresses (URLs) directly into the Internet radio. The user can accesssuch URL information from any conventional source. The directory servermakes the task easier.

An array of selection buttons 51 is provided and adapted to provide auser with individual one-touch connection capability to individualradio-stations providing content via connected broadcast servers such asservers 19 and 21 of FIG. 1. In this example, there are 26 availableselection buttons 51; however, there may be more or fewer such selectionbuttons without departing from the spirit and scope of the presentinvention. A program button 65 is provided and adapted for allowing auser to program selected radio stations to each of selection buttons 51similar to program buttons offered in conventional car radios. URLs(hyperlinks) are stored for preferred stations and associated withbuttons 51. Upon user selection the associated URL is asserted, andconnection is thus made to the broadcast server having that URL asInternet address, which action immediately downloads the audio streambroadcast by that server.

An instant play button 57 is provided and adapted to allow a user tosample a highlighted radio link such as XXXX TALK, which, in thisembodiment is highlighted via bar 55. An automatic sample button 58 isprovided and adapted to allow a user to initiate a sample sequencewherein each radio link appearing in display widow 53 may be connectedto and played for a pre-determined time such as perhaps a few seconds orminutes before moving on to the next available link. This is thefamiliar scan process used with conventional radios.

Volume and speaker balance buttons 62 (one on each side) are providedfor controlling audio parameters such as base, treble, balance, volume,etc. A switch-program button is provided and adapted for the purpose ofswitching the dedicated function of selection buttons 51 from one-touchradio links to an input-interface-button array for programmingparameters into Internet radio 43 such as the date and time, modemnumbers, access numbers, protocol preferences, or the like. Numbersand/or symbols (not shown) may be provided on the faces of selectionbuttons 51 to aid in input function. In one alternative embodiment auser may use this programming feature to program hyperlinks directlyinto the radio.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, Internetradio 43 is operated much like a traditional car stereo radio in thatprogramming using memory may be accomplished in order to link certainbuttons such as selection buttons to various radio links to establishone-touch connection to such links. For example, by connecting to adirectory server such as server 23 of FIG. 1 and scrolling throughlisted station links via scroll panel 60, a user may depress programbutton 65 when a desired link is highlighted. By subsequently pressingone of selection buttons 51, the desired link is cached in memory andassigned to that particular button. Thereafter, a user may simply pressthe now-programmed button to establish connection to the desired link.

Radio links are actually hyper-links to broadcast servers such asservers 19 and 21 of FIG. 1, which when activated, cause Internet radio43 to establish connection to such servers and begin downloading andplaying audio content offered in association with that particularserver. Internet radio 43 is enabled, by virtue of installed software,to make such one-touch connections which are similar only in appearanceof operable method to one-touch radio programming offered inconventional car stereos. Differences are that Internet 43 operates in aswitched-data-packet environment instead of broadcast radio-wavefrequencies, and that the method of content receiving involves softwarein addition to wireless receiving capability whereas conventional radiosare simply tuned to receive via a radio receiver.

Some of the advantages offered with Internet radio 43 are, that inaddition to local stations, Internet radio 43 is capable of playing anybroadcast station located anywhere in the world as long as the stationin question broadcasts over the Internet. For example, individuals farfrom home in, for example, a foreign country, may listen to hometownradio in any language desired.

As previously described, Internet radio 43 works with a wireless networksuch as a cellular network, and a wireless modem such as modem 49(preferred embodiment). Service system 11 may be hosted by a networkprovider in cooperation with device manufacturer similar to cell-phonecompany arrangements. Charges to subscribers may be supplemented byindividual radio stations motivated by attracting people into an area orsimply by increased ratings. Advertising done by such stations maychange to a more national or even a global scope. Moreover, advertisingcan now be tailored to individuals and groups by demographics ratherthan all multicasts, by virtue of the fact that each user has a uniqueIP address for selectively receiving packets from the wireless Internetsimulcast. Commercials can be substituted, for example, regionally, so auser in San Francisco listening to a radio station in Moscow, Russia,may still get commercials for local San Francisco businesses.

Internet radio 43 has software installed therein for the purpose ofenabling Internet connection and downloading and playing broadcastcontent. More detail regarding such software and enabling circuitry isprovided below.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating internal circuitry of theInternet radio device of FIG. 2. Internet radio 43, as a dedicated andcomputerized device, contains certain elements known in the art presentin typical computer devices for the purpose of enabling operablefunction. The inventor intends that the block diagram represented hereinbe construed as exemplary only with regards to description of suchelements as it will be apparent to the skilled artisan that such basicelements are known in the art and common to many differing types ofcomputerized devices, and also that many of the elements can be combinedin various ways.

Internet radio 43 has a microcontroller 91 for overall management ofInternet radios 43. Microcontroller 91 provides management via a busstructure 75, which may be a simple serial bus, but is preferably aparallel bus structure as known in the art. Also connected to busstructure 75 is a read-only memory (ROM) 69 for containing such as bootinstructions and basic operating instruction (BIOS). A non-volatilerandom-access-memory (NVRAM) 71 is provided and contains such as acompact operating system, an innovative Internet browser application, anaudio player application, modem software, and communication protocolsoftware.

A cache memory 73 is provided and adapted to contain such as storedInternet locations (URL's), and other temporary and some semi-permanentinformation such as accessed and stored radio link locations and radiolink locations that may be generic to a browser. In this embodiment,cache 73 may be a browser cache or a shared system cache.

An input power port 77 provides a port for connecting Internet radio 43to a provided power source, such as the electrical system of a vehicle.A rechargeable battery unit 78 is provided as a secondary source ofpower so that Internet radio 43 may be operated with the car turned offwithout using up car battery resource, or to allow the radio to beremoved and used outside the vehicle. Connections to battery 78 are notillustrated, but are assumed to be present such as circuitry providing aswitch capability between a car battery source and battery 78 as asecondary source. Such circuitry is well known I the art.

Also connected to bus structure 75 are modem circuitry 81 (analogous tomodem 49 of FIG. 2) and an I/O data-modem port 79 (shown connected tomodem 81) which contains circuitry required for receiving and sending inwireless mode as previously described. Modem 81 may be built-in(internal) or held separately (external) as previously described.

A display adapter (driver) module 89 is provided and includes circuitryrequired to operate display window 53 of FIG. 2. An output module 87 isprovided and contains circuitry (sound card) adapted to enabling audioto be heard via a connection to speaker units. An input module 90 isprovided and contains required circuitry for enabling data input toInternet radio 43 while switched to input mode as previously describedwith reference to FIG. 2. Display module 89, output module 87, and inputmodule 90 is also connected to bus structure 75.

It will be apparent to one with skill in the art that the internalcomponents of Internet radio 43 as described herein may vary in otherembodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the presentinvention. For example, some memory may be provided in the form ofremovable cards as is known in the art. Memory may also be provided inthe form of a RAM/ROM mix in addition to NVRAM. Added functions mayrequire additional modular components while an Internet radio of asimplest form may require fewer components. The only requirement forinternal architecture is that it contains basic elements that allow forbooting the device, and controlling the basic dedicated functions andoperations of Internet radio 43.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating software capability of theInternet radio device of FIG. 2. A software package 93 is provided andadapted for enabling basic function and operation of Internet radio 43according to an embodiment of the present invention. The inventorintends that package 93 and components thereof be construed as exemplaryas other embodiments may contain differing components.

A system BIOS 95 is provided and adapted for booting up Internet radio43. In this case, BIOS 95 may be very basic in comparison to BIOSsystems found in more complex computers having varied functions. BIOS95, in this embodiment, are limited to booting to a mini-operatingsystem 97. Mini-operating system 97 contains minimum functionality asmay be required for operating other dedicated components such as a modemapplication 99, an Internet access application 101, an audio browserapplication 103, and an audio player application 105.

Operating system 97 may be a modified (stripped down) version of a knownoperating system such as Windows CE™. In another embodiment, operatingsystem 97 may be provided in the form of a new proprietary systemdedicated for the purpose of enabling Internet radio according to anembodiment of the present invention. Operating system 97 contains all ofthe necessary communication drivers and system components needed to workwith other installed components according to media and system protocols.

Modem software 99 contains all of the necessary components for operatinga modem such as modem 49 of FIG. 1. Modem speeds and other protocols mayvary according to implementation and exact model or brand of modemhowever a minimum modem speed of 28.8 kps is sufficient for downloadingInternet radio. In a simple embodiment, modem 99 is equipped solely foraccessing the Internet via wireless mode as previously described.

Internet access software 101 is a basic application that, in oneembodiment, may be incorporated or integrated with browser 103. As abasic application, Internet access software 101 provides simple anddirect connection to a directory server such as server 23 of FIG. 1, orconnection to a service provider. This software may be a stripped downversion of known software, or a created module dedicated to the functionof the present invention.

Audio browser 103 as described above may be integrated with Internetaccess software 101. Browser 103 will access Internet sources throughURLs, but does not display web pages like conventional browsers. E-mailor news group connections, password routines and typical browserfeatures are not required. The browser's principle function is tocontact a directory server such as server 23 of FIG. 1 and to activate ahyper-link (radio-link) thereby causing download and playing of audiocontent, or, in an alternative embodiment, to directly assert apre-programmed hyperlink to go directly to audio content at a broadcastserver. The only display provided by browser 103 is names ofradio-links, or, in some case pseudo-names, as listed in a directoryserver. Although this may be loosely construed as a web page, onlyhyper-links are displayed and not additional media or graphics. Actualdownloading procedure may be limited or adjusted as to how many linksare displayed at a time. For example, a page containing 200 links may bedownloaded and displayed 5 links at a time. In another embodiment, allof the links may be downloaded and displayed in scrollable fashion.Software player 105 may be an existing player (known in the art) or acreated player dedicated to playing only audio according to anembodiment of the present invention.

It should be noted here that software package 93 is preferably limitedin function so that only components required to achieve the object ofthe present invention, namely, accessing the Internet for the purpose ofdownloading and playing broadcast audio content, are included. In thisway, memory required to store software package 93 is kept to a minimum.In one embodiment, software package 93 may be provided as a singleinstallable component containing only basic elements of each describedsub-component such as browser 103 and so on. In another embodiment,individual components may be provided in separately installable forms.

As memory storage techniques improve and bandwidth capability increasesover the Internet, more functionality may be provided to Internet radio43 such as video capture and play capability. In this case, a moresuitable display would be provided for showing video with sound. In thisfuture embodiment, Internet broadcast television may be received in thesame fashion as Internet broadcast radio is received according to anembodiment of the present invention. It should be noted here that TVstations are currently broadcasting over the line Internet, however,much more bandwidth is required to achieve a decent dynamic picture.Therefore, the inventor deems that a dedicated Internet-radio devicesuch as Internet radio 43 of FIG. 1 wherein only audio is capturedrepresents the present invention according to a preferred embodiment.That is not to say however, that other embodiments including addedfunction such as e-mail and IP telephony could not be practicedaccording to other aspects of the present invention.

An innovative function of audio browser 103 involves accessing ahyper-link and activating it with one initiation action provided by auser. This may be accomplished via writing the capability into thebrowser software. For example, each hyper-link (radio station) has a URLor server address. In an embodiment such as described herein where adirectory server is used only radio hyper-links are provided anddisplayed. Therefore, browser 103 simply follows the link highlighted bythe user via a scroll method such as by scroll panel 60 and highlighterbar 55 of FIG. 2. When a user is highlighting a specific link, browser103 is reading that link. However, after programming all of theradio-links to selection buttons such as described with reference toFIG. 2, one touch to one of these buttons asks browser 103 to find theappropriate link and then to activate it.

This is where cache memory 73 of FIG. 3 comes in to play. Once a link isprogrammed to a selection button such as to one of selection buttons 51,then a copy of that link is cached in cache memory 73 and listed asassigned to that button. When browser 103 is activated via buttonselection, it recognizes the link as cached and associated with theparticular button. Browser 103 may then contact directory server 23 andsubsequently access the appropriate link in that server thereby causingconnection to an associated broadcast server such as server 21 of FIG. 1for downloading and playing the audio stream.

In an alternate embodiment of the present invention, a directory serverlisting hyper-links would not be required. In this embodiment, radiostations and like broadcasters maintains their own WEB pages withhyper-links to live broadcasts. Of course the same may also be true whenusing a directory server as access to these links may be made byconventional line equipment such as a personal computer. Directoryserver 23 merely gathers such links into one location for easy access.If however, no directory server is provided, then browser 103 may beenhanced with a search engine dedicated to isolating WEB addresses thatcontain these hyper-links. Such WEB page URL's may be displayed inscrollable fashion within window 53 of FIG. 1. Such pages will typicallybe a WEB page hosted by a particular broadcaster such as a radiostation.

When a user highlights a selection via highlighter bar 55 and pressesinstant play button 57, browser 103 will navigate to the URL and displayonly the audio hyper-links on that page. For example, if only onehyper-link exists on that page, which is most often the case, thenbrowser 103 will automatically activate that link causing connection toan associated broadcast server for download and playing of livebroadcast. If two or more hyper-links to audio content exist on onepage, then they may be scrolled and activated as previously described,or sampled one at a time for a predetermined amount of time.

If a user chooses one link, for example through activation of programbutton 65 of FIG. 1, then that link is cached and assigned as before. Atthis point, a one-touch selection may activate that hyper-link, as itsnetwork path is now known. Moreover, identification and differentiationof audio hyper-links from other server links such as banner adds and thelike can be made by browser 103 through an enhancement allowing foridentification of code that must be embedded in an audio link forinvoking player software. The inventor knows of no such browser with thecapability of disseminating or reading embedded code for the purpose ofdifferentiating between separate embedded links.

FIG. 5 is process flow diagram illustrating logical user steps foraccessing live Internet radio according to an embodiment of the presentinvention. In step 107, a user such as user 41 of FIG. 1 activates orpowers on an Internet radio such as radio 43 of FIG. 2, therebyinitiating Internet connection. Internet connection may be initiatedautomatically when a user turns on his vehicle, or at the user'sdiscretion such as by activating a connect button such as button 61 ofFIG. 2. In step 109, Internet access is established according topre-defined rules. Access may be through an ISP or wireless networkprovider.

In step 111, a user may select a pre-programmed button such as one ofselection buttons 51 of FIG. 2 to activate a browser such as browser 103of FIG. 4 for the purpose of acquiring audio content. In step 113, thebrowser locates the WEB page containing the associated hyper-link andactivates the link causing navigation to and download of audio broadcastfrom an associated broadcast server such as server 21 of FIG. 1. In step115; broadcast audio downloads to Internet radio 43 and plays over asuitable speaker system.

It will be apparent to one with skill in the art that the abovedescribed steps represent a basic example of a sequence of initiationevents and automated functions that enable audio content sourced fromthe Internet to be downloaded and played on an Internet radio such asradio 43 of FIG. 2. It will also be apparent to one with skill in theart that such steps may vary somewhat depending upon user desire andunit capability. For example, instead of selecting a pre-programmedbutton as in step 111, a user may instead play content via scroll paneland instant play button as described with reference to FIG. 2.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart illustrating programming steps used with theInternet radio device of FIG. 2. In step 117, a user activates adirectory button such as button 59 of FIG. 2 while connected to theInternet. This may be automatic in an embodiment wherein a directoryserver is a first location for a browser. In step 119, a directoryserver containing hyper-links such as server 23 of FIG. 1 is accessedvia a browser such as browser 103 of FIG. 4. The hyper-links may bedisplayed in step 121. Downloading may progress in incremental units ofa total contained on a page such as perhaps 4 or 5 links at a time witha next 4 or 5 links available upon request. In another embodiment, allof the links may be downloaded to Internet radio 43 and be displayed(step 121) in scrollable fashion in a window such as window 53 of FIG.1.

At step 123, a user may scroll down a list of hyper-links with ahighlight bar activated via a scroll panel such as bar 55 and panel 61of FIG. 2. At step 125 a user makes a selection of a highlighted linkvia depressing a program button such as button 65 of FIG. 2. This copiesthe link to a cache such as cache 73 of FIG. 3. At step 127 a user maydepress any one of selection buttons 51 of FIG. 2 to assign that buttonto the cached link. When ready, a user simply depresses the selectionbutton again to go to that server and begin playing the associatedbroadcast audio.

It will be apparent to one with skill in the art that theabove-described steps represent just one exemplary programming sequencefor an Internet radio such as radio 43 of FIG. 2. Other programmingsteps or sequences are possible without departing from the spirit andscope of the present invention such as hitting the program button afterlistening to instant play via button 57, and so on. In addition toprogramming stations, other content may be programmed into Internetradio 43 such as time and date, perhaps an alarm function, inputparameters related to configuration and set-up and the like.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, Internet radio 43 isintended to be a stand-alone mobile unit for automobiles. The scope ofthe invention, however, is broader than this one embodiment. Forexample, an Internet radio device such as device 43 may be provided ofthe form of a user-worn unit such as a headset or belt-attaching unit.In this embodiment, power would be provided by a compact rechargeablebattery pack. In the case of a headset, the battery pack and controlpanel may be worn on a belt or body-conforming brace.

In an alternate embodiment, a stand-alone Internet radio device such asdevice 43 may be provided as a wireless desktop or house system perhapshaving a phone jack to enable line connection to the Internet as well.

In still another embodiment of the present invention the Internet radiohas no display and operates without benefit of a directory server. Inthis embodiment the inventor recognizes that it is only necessary thatthe Internet radio be programmable such that one or more uniquehyperlinks are programmed into the radio and associated with aninitiation apparatus, so the hyperlinks may be selectively invoked.

There are several ways this programming may be done. The use of aconvenient directory server, and user interface apparatus adapted toallow a user to select and initiate hyperlinks and to associatehyperlinks with initiation buttons has already been described above. Inan alternative embodiment a portable radio may be provided with astandard serial port, an infra red link, or other known link to apersonal computer, such as a laptop or desktop computer. Suitablesoftware may be executed on the computer to access information on theInternet, the information comprising hyperlinks to broadcast servers,and the software may be adapted also to allow a user to associateselected hyperlinks with a selection apparatus on the Internet radio,and to then download the associated hyperlinks to the radio.

In this alternative there is no need for a display. The Internet radiosimply has a series of initiation buttons or a dial allowing selectiveactuation and a communication port t the host computer. Once selectionof hyperlinks is made and downloaded to the Internet radio of theinvention, the radio may be used independently, and will tune to theappropriate station each time the selection apparatus is exercised.

In yet another alternative, a user may contact a directory server fromhis/her Internet-connected general-purpose computer, and provide aclient profile. The WEB page interface of the directory server providesthe client with a listing of hyperlinks to radio servers or at least afacility for developing such a list, under the client's control. Theclient in this embodiment makes selection and association, and thedirectory server programs the Internet radio itself, the next time theInternet radio accesses the directory server. This provides aparticularly simple Internet radio device.

In yet another alternative a call-center technology is used. The usercalls an 800 (or similar no-charge number); establishing contact with anagent of the service and the agent guides the user through set-up. Theuser can inform the agent of specific desires in radio stations, theagent makes suggestions and provides samples, and the user selectsstations and suggests assignment to specific slots at the radio. Oncethe list is complete, the agent enters the selections and associationsin an internet-connected server, and the next time the user's radioconnects the server programs the radio for the new play mix.

In yet another embodiment the no-charge-to-calling-party number connectsthe client by phone with an Interactive Voice response unit (IVR), andthe IVR elicits the necessary information. Once selection andassociation is made via the IVR, the IVR automatically communicates sameto an Internet-connected directory server, and the server does the rest.The next time the user accesses the Internet the server programs theInternet radio device for the stations and association.

In still another embodiment, an Internet radio such as radio 43 mayinclude a means for recording Internet content such as via writeableCD-ROM or via tape recording deck. In a considerably more complicatedembodiment AM/FM receiving capability may be added to the circuitry ofInternet radio 43 for the purpose of creating a dual-purpose radio(Internet broadcast and conventional broadcast). The spirit and scope ofthe present invention is limited only by the claims that follow.

1. A storage media having a plurality of instructions embodied as abrowser module stored thereon, which, upon execution, perform operationscomprising: (a) submitting a Universal resource Locator (URL) of anInternet site from an Internet-connectable audio-player device to accessthe Internet site; (b) upon accessing the accessible site, readingembedded code in the site to find a link to downloadable audio content,including determining whether a link is a link to downloadable audiocontent by determining presence in the linked content, code forinitiating an audio player application; and (c) invoking the link todownload audio content on determining that a link is a link todownloadable audio content.
 2. The storage media of claim 1 wherein theaudio-player device is an Internet radio.
 3. The storage media of claim1 wherein the audio-player device is a personal computer.
 4. The storagemedia of claim 1 wherein the Internet site comprises more than one linkto downloadable audio content, and the browser after determining a firstlink is a link to downloadable audio content invokes the first link anddownloads the audio content from the first link for a preprogrammed timeperiod, then continues to determine for a second link, and if a secondlink is also determined to be a link to downloadable audio, accesses thesecond link and downloads the audio content from the second link for thepreprogrammed time period.
 5. The storage media of claim 1 wherein thelink to downloadable audio content is a live broadcast radio audiostream offered over the Internet.
 6. A method for finding and invokinglive audio data streams associated with links on a Web site, comprisingsteps of: (a) submitting a Universal resource Locator (URL) of Web sitefrom a network-connectable audio-player device to access the Web site;(b) upon accessing the Web site, reading embedded code in the site tofind a link to downloadable audio content, including determining whethera link is a link to downloadable audio content, by determining presencein the linked content, code for initiating an audio player application;and (c) invoking the link to download audio content on determining thata link is a link to downloadable audio content.
 7. The method of claim 6wherein the audio-player device is an Internet radio.
 8. The method ofclaim 6 wherein the audio-player device is a personal computer.
 9. Themethod of claim 6 wherein the Web site comprises more than one link todownloadable audio content, and the browser after determining a firstlink to be link to downloadable audio content, invokes the first linkand downloads the audio content from the first link for a preprogrammedtime period, then continues reading the embedded code to determine asecond link to downloadable audio content, and if a second link isdetermined to be a link to downloadable audio content, invokes thesecond link and downloads the audio content from the second link for thepreprogrammed time period.
 10. The method of claim 6 wherein the link todownloadable audio content is a live broadcast radio audio streamoffered over the Internet.